[292]. A Message From A Poem – Arise, You Sleepy Unproductive Servant

[292]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ARISE, YOU SLEEPY UNPRODUCTIVE SERVANT

It is time to be serious about the faith we profess. The western world is awash with wishy-washy Christian profession. Too many are asleep instead of being active for Jesus, the Lord of our faith.

This poem is a challenge to those who profess to follow Jesus, but do they? I hope you take it seriously. We do not have time in these days just to ebb along like jellyfish as the evil in this world increases greatly.

The Apostle Peter had in mind those who were non-committed and urged them to supplement their faith with 7 great qualities. Here is that section:-

{{2 Peter 1:5 Now FOR THIS VERY REASON also, applying all diligence in your faith, supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

2 Peter 1:6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

2 Peter 1:7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.}}

Verse 5 begins “for this very reason,” and verses 3 and 4 established that we partake of the divine power and the divine nature. BECAUSE THAT IS FACT then there is a follow on from that, a development. It is not automatic because Peter says in verse 5 “applying all” and lazy Christians apply nothing. They wallow in the shallows.

It is imperative for us to follow on from what God has granted to us. The unworthy servant will do very little and not value the relationship with God. We need to treasure what God has granted us and then apply due diligence to the development of our Christian lives.

In verse 5 Peter asks that ALL diligence be applied in their faith. This word diligence means effort, speed, haste, earnestness, and enthusiasm. That sounds to me like a person alert, active and keen. How many of us would measure up to that?

What would God require from us – full effort and application to our faith; or a half-hearted effort; getting around to it when we have time? I think it is more meaningful if we consider the cost of faith and testimony in the times when Peter wrote his letter. Martyrdom was a very real possibility so there was no place for play actors. There was no place for complacency.

A Christian faith is a serious faith. It requires nurturing and growth. It must not be stagnant or even go backwards. The sincerity of faith is tested under persecution and only the gold will be refined in persecution’s fire. All the pretence is burnt up. If severe persecution hit our western nations like it does in many African nations, (especially in Nigeria) we would see so many defections from “the faith”.

In the western world the claim of Christian faith is married to materialism and status and social acceptability. If that was stripped away and only the cold reality remained, on what basis would your faith remain?

Please read this poem thoughtfully and don’t dismiss it because it might be a challenge.

Romans 13:11-14 “This do, knowing the time, that IT IS ALREADY THE HOUR FOR YOU TO AWAKEN FROM SLEEP, for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone and THE DAY IS AT HAND. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy, but PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”}}

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ARISE, YOU SLEEPY UNPRODUCTIVE SERVANT

Wake up! Christian, wake up your dozing head.

The time is short so what are you doing?

While it is day, not to sleep are you wed!

But the Lord’s work you must be pursuing.

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There is no excuse, your God to ignore,

While you engage in sin and passions elsewhere.

In your spiritual neglect, you snore,

But God in kindness is saying, “Beware!”

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God is not mocked for your life spells its fate.

A servant true will stand firm with his Lord.

Unfaithful servants to life don’t relate.

Beware, you sleeper, of the Master’s sword.

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If one talent is given, then make two;

If five, then be profitable with ten.

To stand ashamed before God, could be you,

As God, your faithfulness will examine.

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Your priorities will come to the fore

To expose your secret heart’s desires.

Will you continue to sleep and to snore,

Or walk with Christ where His love inspires?

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Hear this – “Well done, good and faithful servant.

Now enter into the joy of your Lord.”

That blessing is for those who’ve been fervent,

Not for those, in the Lord’s task, who’ve been bored.

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Very soon the Lord Jesus Christ returns;

His rapture call for His Bride is at hand.

For that event, the committed heart yearns.

The faithful ones will enter into glory land.

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The old garments of laziness discard.

Clothe yourself with Christ and walk in His light.

Leave your laxity there in a graveyard.

Arise! And walk with Jesus with delight.

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How is your salvation valued by you?

Those who love much, in service will give much,

But in your sleep, your life remains untrue;

So too, those who love little, are of such.

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NOW, with renewed vigour, arise to serve.

Repent of laziness and slothful love.

From the godly path ahead, do not swerve,

But keep your eyes fixed on the prize above.

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17 February 2026 Ronald Ferguson 10 throughout ABAB